DavidsTea Spring Collection and A Food Gal Giveaway

With the arrival of spring comes a new collection of teas and infusions from Montreal’s DavidsTea, which is expanding rapidly into the United States.

Last year, it opened its first locale in San Francisco. There are now five in the Bay Area.

What sets the company apart is its inventiveness with blends. Sure, you’ve probably had flowers and fruit mixed in with your tea leaves before. But not quite to this extent. We’re talking big chunks of dried fruit, sizable enough to pick out to eat and enough of it to resemble trail mix.

Unfortunately, there are some artificial flavors added. But if you can forgive them that, you’ll be rewarded with some soothing, surprising sips.

The teas are quite fragrant. The Honeydew Mate reminds me of the smell of those old-school Now and Later candies. The banana in the Copabanana is unmistakable from the first whiff. It does taste a little like an exotic liquid banana bread, too.

My favorite may be the Coconut Oolong. It has the strong, full body you associate with the traditional Chinese tea, but also the sweet, creaminess of coconut. Unlike milk and sugar that dilute the character of the tea, the coconut leaves it be and just rounds it out.

The Spring Collection in its pretty box.

CONTEST: One lucky Food Gal reader will win a free Spring Collection from DavidsTeas. Entries, limited to those in the continental United States and Canada, will be accepted through midnight PST April 13. Winner will be announced April 15.

How to win?

Since you’re a tea fan, tell me your favorite word that starts with “T” — and why you like it. Best answer wins.

Here’s my own answer:

“Tenacious. Just the sound of it is a little fierce, isn’t it? I admire people who don’t give up easily, who strive against all odds to accomplish their dreams and who fight for what they believe in.”

35 comments

My word is TAXING! Not just because it’s almost April 15, but because my boss is an idiot, and since that makes m work so taxing, I need a lot of tea to calm and sooth me…it’s even better than chocolate, because it’s non caloric! I love tea…

My word would be ‘time’. It’s possibly the most precious commodity as it can never be bought, sold, or bartered away. It allows for memories to created and flourished and it can also heal everything. Well, most things

It also helps make the most awesome breads… I’m currently on day 4 of my starter yeast.

Mine would have to be Tagine. Yep, Tagine. It’s a pretty word, fun to say, and instantly conjures images of foods that are meltingly tender, exoticly flavored and oh-so aromatic. Oh, and the actual Tagine Thingamajiggy (oooh, another good “T” word) is so satisfyingly funky. In fact, I’ve had my eye on a new Turquoise Tagine for a while now…Ta-Ta!

Truffle: I discovered this delightful fungus after consuming Grant Achatz’s signature “truffle explosion” at Alinea last year, and truly, it has changed my life. If you were to bring a truffle hog to my house today, he would likely think he’d just hit the jackpot. I keep truffle salt for adding to steamed vegetables, truffle oil for popcorn and deviled eggs, and am currently saving up for a bottle of Black Moth vodka, which is flavored with Périgord truffles. And, cue the swooning.

Can I say tea? Because I tremendously want to express my love for tea. It’s my favorite drink, I took my first sip when I was about two or three. Is that too young? I’m not sure. Before I go off on a tangent, which is another favorite ‘T’ word because I often do that. I am a tangential thinker. What was I saying? Oh, right, tea. I love it. What more is there to say?

does Tadaa!! count as a word becuase if it does its definitely my favorite T word. You cant help but say it and sound excited and whenever someone elses says it means they are showing off something new and typically exciting and you then cant help but be excited

I really like untranslatable words, and one I’ve found recently that I love is the Swahili phrase “Tuko pamoja.” It literally means “we are together”, but it implies more than just being in agreement- it’s a true understanding of each other within a group, which I think is really beautiful!

While technically it is 2 words, my favorite word that begins with “T” is tabula rasa. There are two definitions: 1. a young mind not yet affected by experience (according to John Locke)and 2. an opportunity to start over without prejudice.

The second definition is my favorite because I think everyone should be able to do this. We should all have a chance (or maybe a few) in our lives to be able to start over without prejudice. Start with a clean slate, if you will. I also find that we get this chance whenever we meet someone new or start a new chapter in our lives. We are constantly given chances to start over without prejudice, we just have to recognize them for the gifts they are and take advantage of them.

Trip. Mostly because of how it sounds to say, but also because it can mean a few things—taking a tumble, going on an adventure, etc.—that can result in a change of status, a change of perspective or opinion, and so on.

Tuttebell is my fave t word. It’s the nickname for our daughter, and 13 years later later it’s still sticking :). She is slowly joining the ranks of “tea drinker” just like her momma! Awesome giveaway, good luck to everyone who enters, I’ve had a great time reading everyone’s t words!

My favourite T word would have to be “think” simply because of all it entails. Daydreams, fantasies, reflection, problem solving, memories. Everything we do and everything we are is connected to the mystical power that is thinking. From building up courage to express your love to picking up that fashion magazine on the waiting room table. Your mind is such a private and personal hideaway, a space completely your own, and your thoughts are the identifying price, the unique fingerprint. To have a pulse is to breathe, to think is to live.

Mine is tyrannosaurus rex! If you’ve ever seen posts showing a t-Rex trying to do something with it’s unporportionate arms you may see why. It’s haliarious this terrifying creature and then to see a post of a T. rex being a traffic controller or skipping rope hahaha

Drinking some glitter and gold David’s tea at the moment- I’m obsessed and running low!

Tasty. I love food and beverages, but it’s the best when it’s something that makes me say mmm with the first bite or sip. The first bite of a homemade shepherd’s pie or of fresh out of the oven homemade biscuits or the first sip of a new DAVIDsTEA tisane or tea I am overwhelmed with a feeling of comfort and relaxation with something tasty.